Honolulu, Hawaii

Honoluluhttp:

Home to the State Capitol, Honolulu is the vibrant epicenter of Hawaii. Here you’ll find everything from historic landmarks and treasured monuments to world-class shopping and a flourishing arts and culture scene.
Honolulu is the capital of Hawaii and the main point of entry for most visitors to the state. Easily accessible by direct flights from North America, Asia, and destinations around the South Pacific, Hawaii is a major tourist destination, with visitors from all over coming here to enjoy the beaches and tropical climate.

The city of Honolulu falls roughly into three areas that include Waikiki, Downtown, and Pearl Harbor. Waikiki, the main attraction with it's beautiful stretch of soft sand beach, is a peninsula covering nearly half a square mile. In this small area, one of the most densely-populated in the whole of the United States, more hotels, restaurants and shops can be found than in the rest of Hawaii. Downtown, the center and historical part of Honolulu, contains a number of museums, historic buildings, and famous statues.

Attractions
 Iolani Palace

Iolani Palace is a historical landmark in downtown Honolulu that was originally built in 1879 by King Kalakaua. The palace was constructed in an effort to make Hawaii become more prestigious and more recognized as a nation throughout the world. It was initially known as Hale Alii, but King Kamehameha V changed the name to Iolani.Located in the palace grounds are the Royal Barracks where the king's bodyguards lived. Originally built in 1871 close to the site of the present Hawaii State Capitol, the barracks only moved to their current position when the Capitol was built. The building resembles medieval battlements with embrasures, which appear somewhat odd in these surroundings. The palace is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Pearl Harbour and USS Arizona Memorial
Pearl Harbor is one of Honolulu's biggest tourist attractions. Although it is home to the Navy's Pacific Fleet, visitors can take a tour to see the USS Arizona Memorial, and the USS Missouri.When you arrive at Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona Memorial, you get a ticket with a time on it. When it’s your turn, you meet your group and first watch a 30 minute film which explains the history of what happened at Pearl Harbor – I thought the video was concise and provided good insight into the memorial.

Waikiki
Occupying a long stretch of the coast on the south shore of Honolulu, is the famous area of town known as Waikiki. It’s the main touristy area of town where there’s a sea of high rise hotels and resorts that line the beach, nearly all the way from the Honolulu Zoo to Ala Wai harbor.Waikiki is the main beach destination of most people heading to Honolulu and the island of Oahu. This area is known for its large crescent shaped beach, where visitors come to lie out in the sun, swim, and learn to surf. Stores, restaurants, and hotels line the oceanfront street backing Waikiki Beach.

Hanauma Bay

On the very east side of Honolulu, near an area of town called Hawaii Kai, is Hanauma Bay, one of the most famous places on the entire island for snorkeling.
The bay, sunken into a crater with a gorgeous stretch of golden sand, is a nature reserve and marine sanctuary.
When you arrive at Hanauma Bay, you’re normally required to watch a short video about the marine life and the preservation of it, and you can then take the short 5 minute hike to the bottom of the crater to get to the beach and get in the cool clear water.

Climate
Honolulu experiences a hot semi-arid climate , with a mostly dry summer season, due to a rain shadow effect.Temperatures vary little throughout the months, with average high temperatures of 80–90 °F (27–32 °C) and average lows of 65–75 °F (18–24 °C) throughout the year. Temperatures reach or exceed 90 °F (32 °C) on an average 38 days annually,with lows in the upper 50s °F (14–15 °C) occurring once or twice a year.

Transport
ourists concerned about how to reach Honolulu will be relieved to know that the city is served by the Honolulu International Airport. This airport is the major gateway to the capital city as well as the state of Hawaii. It is one of the busiest airports in the whole United States. The airport, which is located 6 km towards the west of the Waikiki Beach, serves the flights from many of the countries as well as direct flights from London, UK. It also caters to the inter-island flights by Aloha and Hawaiian airlines through its inter-island terminal. Tourists are sometimes bothered by the distance of the island, but how to reach Honolulu is not a big problem. The best way to reach the city is to take a flight, which will not be too hard as there are a number of airlines, which offer services to the city. Indian tourists are often bothered by the question about how to reach Honolulu because of the lack of direct flights from India to Honolulu. However, they should not be disheartened as there are regular indirect flights operating from cities like Mumbai, Kolkata, New Delhi, Bengaluru and Hyderabad, among others. These flights are offered by airlines such as Lufthansa, Air India, Philippine Airlines and Malaysia Airlines, to name a few. After landing at the Honolulu International Airport, reaching the city centre is not a big task, as the city is quite near from the airport. There are regular car, taxi or bus services operating from the airport to the Honolulu city centre.Find detailed information about how to reach Honolulu by Train, Bus, air, flight timing and schedule. Read reviews, details to know how to reach Honolulu & get information about Honolulu.

Zermatt, Switzerland

Zermatt

Zermatt is heaven for snow lovers. There are pistes for beginners, experts and everyone in between. Here in Europe’s highest-altitude ski area, snow is guaranteed 365 days a year. Zermatt is a winter fairy tale. With unlimited fun on snow: skiing on 360 km of pistes. The winter landscape offers lots of sun. A pure romance.
Zermatt is a municipality in the district of Visp in the German-speaking section of the canton of Valais in Switzerland. It has a population of about 5,800 inhabitants.
The mountain village of Zermatt is one of the great ski and climbing centres of the world. Nestled in a deep valley enclosed between steeply scarped mountains, it is dominated by the huge and graceful pyramid of the Matterhorn.

From the moment you step off your Swiss-red train and catch sight of the cobbled streets and horses with sleighs patiently waiting for their rides, you know you are in a special place.
The main street bustles happily with pedestrians. There are no impersonal tour buses belching out noise, fumes, and package tourists. Zermatt is no auto through-route. The train stops here. All journeys on from here are on foot or ski. Everyone is here because they love mountains. Walking through the cobbled paths of town, between the ancient sunburnt barns and chalets, you catch your first glimpse of the Matterhorn and know you have come to the right place.

he beauty of the setting is still unsurpassed. Dominated by the unmistakable peak of the Matterhorn, at 4478 metres (14,692 ft), standing alone at the head of the valley, Zermatt is encircled by a famous ring of mountains over 4000 metres (13000 feet) high. The names of Dent Blanche (4356m), Weisshorn (4505m), Dom (4545m), Gabelhorn (4062m), Zinal-Rothorn (4221m), and Monte Rosa (4634m) continue to attract mountain lovers to the heart of one of the world's most magnificent alpine areas.

Despite Zermatt's popularity, despite it's growth, it is still only a village, open and friendly, where people mix happily in the main street, mercifully free of cars, and dance the night away in the many rendezvous at hand. There are bars, restaurants and night-spots to suit every taste and pocket. Truly cosmopolitan, Zermatt rejoices in an easy comradeship among sportsman which knows no frontiers.

Lotte World Adventure, Seoul

 Lotte World Adventure

Opened in 1989, Lotte World Adventure is a major recreation complex located in downtown Seoul. It consists of Indoor Adventure, the world's largest indoor theme park, an outdoor theme park called Magic Island, a luxury hotel, the Korean Folk Museum, shopping malls, department stores, sports facilities and a movie theater, all in one place. It’s also one of the planet’s most popular parks, welcoming about 7.5 million visitors in 2013.
As with the Universal and Disney theme parks, Lotte World is owned and operated by a huge conglomerate: Lotte Co., Ltd., a company founded in Japan and currently based in both that country and South Korea. In addition to Lotte World, the Lotte empire includes candy companies, fast food restaurants, cinemas, malls, department stores, convenience marts and skyscrapers (the Lotte Super Tower 123 is currently under construction next to Lotte World and will be the tallest building in Korea when it’s completed). Also like most Disney and Universal parks, Lotte World is surrounded by an enormous entertainment and shopping complex, featuring a water park, an aquarium and many of Lotte’s other businesses, as well as luxury boutiques, hotels and a dedicated subway stop.
Lotte World opens all year long without holidays. Its hours of operation on weekdays (Monday to Thursday) is 9:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., while on weekends (Friday to Sunday) the hours of operation are from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. The price of admission tickets for Lotte World varies with different age groups. A day pass for adults (18 years and over) costs 44,000 Won (41 USD, as of November 28, 2013), while day passes for teenagers (13–17 years), children (3–12 years), and babies (12 months to 2 years) cost 38,000 Won (36 USD), 34,000 Won (32 USD), and 11,000 Won (10 USD), respectively. Lotte World also offers "late admission" tickets, which can be purchased after 4 p.m. at approximately 75% of the price of the regular tickets.

Lotte World offers a variety of small and big performances and festivals in the park. Since they are mostly performed inside the park, visitors can freely and conveniently access them, regardless of weather.
Lotte World also has South Korea's largest ice skating rink.

Attractions:
World Monorail
The monorail takes visitors through Lotte World—both inside and outside. It gives a scenic view as it goes by Adventure, then goes outside to Magic Island that sits over the Seok-Chon Lake.

Folk Museum

The folk museum allows visitors to learn all about Korea's people and history. On the 3rd floor of Indoor Adventure is the Folk Museum. The Folk museum features exhibits about Korean history and culture. Animation and small scale models are used to illustrate Korea's history, a popular highlight for international visitors. Visitors can also enjoy traditional performances at the Norimadang (a performance hall) or browse the stalls at the Jeojageori (traditional market street).

The Adventures of Sindbad
this Sindbad attraction takes its inspiration from other Disney classics. The boat ride takes as many of its cues from the Sindbad legends as it does from Pirates of the Caribbean, the Haunted Mansion and Splash Mountain. And, like those, attractions, the Adventures of Sindbad is an impeccably themed attraction of cinematic scope and epic length (just when you think the ride’s about over, it kicks into a whole second half). It packs just about every piece of Sindbad lore into the experience.

Jungle Adventure

A water ride that takes passengers through the jungle. They get on a jungle boat and enter a dark cave and are taken through the rapids.

Pharaoh's Fury
A multi-motion ride where passengers board a Jeep and travel through ancient Egypt. The passengers feel as if they were right at the steering wheel as they go on a 1 km-long ride.this one is definitely a knock-off. The Egyptian-themed experience takes its cues from Indiana Jones Adventure, down to the jeep-like EMV vehicles that passengers board at the end of a meticulously designed queue, which even features a pre-ride film reel).

French Revolution
A high-octane roller coaster. It rotates 360 degrees and even up to 540 degrees in some parts. The roller coaster goes through buildings and is indoors, so there is always a near-miss crash feeling. It also takes a picture during the ride that is available for pick up at the exit.There are a couple of murals of Paris at the loading station, but otherwise this is a pretty simple steel coaster that provides a few thrills as it darts in between the park’s tightly packed attractions and scenery.

Magic Island

Magic Island, the outdoor theme park of Lotte World, is an artificial island located in the middle of Seokchon Lake. It can be accessed from the 2nd floor of Indoor Adventure. Designed in a medieval European style with a spell-binding Magic Castle in its center, Magic Island boasts 17 different rides including the high-altitude free-fall thrill ride, the Gyro Drop.

Atlantis
Also located in Magic Island, but unfortunately down for maintenance during our visit, is the Atlantis roller coaster. It’s billed as a mixture between a flume and a coaster, I suppose because the single-car sort-of resembles a flume boat and the ride area contains a number of close-call water elements.

Desperados II 
 Speaking of shooting attractions, this Wild West shoot-’em-up is located a few feet away from Dragon Wild Shooting, but delivers an entirely different experience. Desperados II (no, it’s not a sequel to the Antonio Banderas movie) lets you saddle up on your choice of a couple dozen fake horses placed before a giant screen. Wearing 3D glasses and brandishing a Colt .45, you hunt down a band of criminals while your horse “gallops” away in time with the action on screen

Tah Mahal, India

Tah Mahal

Standing majestically on the banks of River Yamuna, the Taj Mahal is synonymous to love and romance. The name "Taj Mahal" was derived from the name of Shah Jahan's wife, Mumtaz Mahal, and means "Crown Palace".
Taj Mahal, the pinnacle of Mughal architecture, was built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan (1628-1658), grandson of Akbar the great, in the memory of his queen Arjumand Bano Begum, entitled ‘Mumtaz Mahal’. Mumtaz Mahal was a niece of empress Nur Jahan and granddaughter of Mirza Ghias Beg I’timad-ud-Daula, wazir of emperor Jehangir. She was born in 1593 and died in 1631, during the birth of her fourteenth child at Burhanpur. Her mortal remains were temporarily buried in the Zainabad garden. Six months later, her body was transferred to Agra to be finally enshrined in the crypt of the main tomb of the Taj Mahal. The Taj Mahal is the mausoleum of both Mumtaz Mahal and Shah Jahan.
The Taj Mahal is located on the right bank of the Yamuna River in a vast Mughal garden that encompasses nearly 17 hectares, in the Agra District in Uttar Pradesh. The existence of several historical and Quaranic inscriptions in Arabic script have facilitated setting the chronology of Taj Mahal. For its construction, masons, stone-cutters, inlayers, carvers, painters, calligraphers, dome builders and other artisans were requisitioned from the whole of the empire and also from the Central Asia and Iran. Ustad-Ahmad Lahori was the main architect of the Taj Mahal.
The Taj Mahal is considered to be the greatest architectural achievement in the whole range of Indo-Islamic architecture. Its recognised architectonic beauty has a rhythmic combination of solids and voids, concave and convex and light shadow; such as arches and domes further increases the aesthetic aspect. The colour combination of lush green scape reddish pathway and blue sky over it show cases the monument in ever changing tints and moods. The relief work in marble and inlay with precious and semi precious stones make it a monument apart.

The mausoleum is located on the right bank of the river Yamuna at a point where it takes a sharp turn and flows eastwards. Originally, the land where the Taj Mahal presently stands belonged to the Kachhwahas of Ajmer (Rajasthan). The land was acquired from them in lieu of four havelis as is testified by a court historian, Abdul Hamid Lahauri, in his work titled the Badshah-Namah and the firmans (royal decrees). For construction, a network of wells was laid along the river line to support the huge mausoleum buildings. Masons, stonecutters, inlayers, carvers, painters, calligraphers, dome-builders and other artisans were requisitioned from the whole of the empire and also from Central Asia and Iran. While bricks for internal constructions were locally prepared, white marble for external use in veneering work was obtained from Makrana in Rajasthan. Semi-precious stones for inlay ornamentation were brought from distant regions of India, Ceylon and Afghanistan. Red sandstone of different tints was requisitioned from the neighbouring quarries of Sikri, Dholpur, etc. It took 17 years for the monument complex to be completed in 1648.
The Taj Mahal is the epitome of Mughal art and one of the most famous buildings in the world. Yet there have been few serious studies of it and no full analysis of its architecture and meaning. Ebba Koch, an important scholar,  has been permitted to take measurements of the complex and has been working on the palaces and gardens of Shah Jahan for thirty years and on the Taj Mahal itself—the tomb of the emperor's wife, Mumtaz Mahal—for a decade.
The Taj Mahal is the epitome of Mughal art and one of the most famous buildings in the world. Yet there have been few serious studies of it and no full analysis of its architecture and meaning. Ebba Koch, an important scholar,  has been permitted to take measurements of the complex and has been working on the palaces and gardens of Shah Jahan for thirty years and on the Taj Mahal itself—the tomb of the emperor's wife, Mumtaz Mahal—for a decade.

The tomb is the representation of the house of the queen in Paradise, and  its setting was based on the palace gardens of the great nobles that lined both sides of the river at Agra India.  You will explore the entire complex of the Taj Mahal with an explanation of each building and an account of the mausoleum's urban setting, its design and construction, its symbolic meaning, and its history up to the present day.
At the southern point is the forecourt with the main gate in front and tombs of Akbarabadi Begum and Fatehpuri Begum, two other queens of Shah Jahan, on its south-east and south-west corners respectively called Saheli Burj 1 and 2.
On the second terrace is a spacious square garden, with side pavilions. It is divided into four quarters by broad shallow canals of water, with wide walkways and cypress avenues on the sides. The water channels and fountains are fed by overhead water tanks. These four quarters are further divided into the smaller quarters by broad causeways, so that the whole scheme is in a perfect char-bagh.

The main tomb of the Taj is basically square with chamfered corners. The minarets here are detached, facing the chamfered angles (corners) of the main tomb on the main plinth. Red sandstone mosque on the western, and Mehman-Khana on the eastern side of the tomb provides aesthetically a clear colour contrast.

Taj Mahal was built in 22 years (1631-1653) with the orders of Shah Jahan and it was dedicated to Mumtaz Mahal (Arjumand Bano Begum), the wife of Shah. 20.000 workers labored and 32 crore rupees were spent during the construction of the monument and it was built according to Islamic architecture. It is one of the Unesco world heritage site.

Transport
The main bus stand of Idgah has a number of buses running for Delhi, Jaipur, Mathura, Fatehpur-Sikri, etc. After reaching the city also, you need some sort of local transport to reach Taj Mahal. You can easily get taxi, tempo, auto-rickshaw and cycle rickshaw in the city that will take you to your destination.

Disney California Adventure

Disney California Adventure

Disney California Adventure, commonly referred to as California Adventure, is a theme park located in Anaheim, California. It is owned and operated by The Walt Disney Company through its Parks and Resorts division. The 72-acre (29 ha) park is themed after the history and culture of California. The park opened in 2001, and it is the second of two theme parks built at the Disneyland Resort complex, after Disneyland Park.
Combine the magic of Disney with the best that California has to offer and the result is Disney California Adventure, a theme park that celebrates the California in style. When you enter the gates of this park, you are transported to the land of promise, opportunity and glamour. Disney California Adventure is a journey from the California of yesterday to today and a tribute to this land of dreams. You can ride the Red Car Trolley in 1920s Los Angeles, take a raft down the rapids with a mining company on Grizzly Peak, travel down Route 66 or brave a white knuckled roller coaster in a seaside amusement park...the sights and sounds are inspired by the rich history of this majestic state.
The present-day site of Disney California Adventure was acquired by Walt Disney in the 1950s, and functioned as the parking lot of Disneyland for over 40 years.
The park was expected to draw large crowds when it opened on February 8, 2001. On January 14, a Los Angeles Times article titled "The most Jam-Packed Theme Park on Earth?" stated, "Senior Disney officials acknowledge that there will be days when California Adventure will have to turn patrons away, particularly in the first weeks after the park opens, during spring break and again in the summer." However, the actual attendance that year was substantially less than expected.[5] This is suggested to have happened due to poor reviews from early visitors,[6] the lack of focus in the Hollywood Pictures Backlot, lack of attractions for children, large amount of off-the-shelf attractions (with Soarin' Over California being the sole exception), a high number of stores and restaurants relative to the number of attractions, and having a redundant theme, given the park is located in California. The park also lacks a park berm to separate it from surrounding neighborhoods. The berm in Disneyland Park uses trees and earthen mounds to build a physical barrier around the park so that structures external to the park cannot be seen, thus encompassing guests in the setting. At Disney California Adventure Park, nearby hotels, power lines, radio towers, and the Anaheim Convention Center are visible, reducing the immersion in the park. Disney had originally planned the park to be aimed at adults rather than children which turned out to be a major criticism.
The park's main entrance area, Sunshine Plaza, underwent a major redesign. The main gate of the park was pushed out further towards the Esplanade and themed to Los Angeles' historic Pan-Pacific Auditorium, similar to the main gate of Disney's Hollywood Studios. In 2011, Sunshine Plaza, which was designed to resemble a stylized California postcard, was closed and completely stripped of its theming, renamed Buena Vista Street and redesigned to resemble 1920s Los Angeles, as Walt Disney may have seen it upon his arrival there. The park's Sun Icon was replaced by a replica of the historic Carthay Circle Theatre, a Los Angeles movie palace that premiered Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs in 1937.

The Disney California Adventure is separated into several different lands.

Buena Vista Street
When it opened as Sunshine Plaza, it served as the entrance plaza to the park, and was anchored by several stores and quick-service restaurants, including Greetings From California, Engine Ears Toys, Baker's Field Bakery, and Bur-r-r Bank Ice Cream.

Hollywood Land
Hollywood Land (formerly Hollywood Pictures Backlot) is one of the themed lands located at Disney California Adventure Park at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California. It opened as one of Disney's California Adventure's original lands on February 8, 2001.


Grizzly Peak
Blaze a trail towards Grizzly Peak for an outdoor adventure surrounded by majestic evergreen trees, roaring rapids and rugged mountains. Take a thrilling, spinning plunge on Grizzly River Run or explore wilderness paths, march across rope bridges, climb over rocks and zip down suspended slides at Redwood Creek Challenge Trail.

Golden State
The Golden State was divided into several areas: The Bay Area, Condor Flats, Golden Vine Winery, Grizzly Peak Recreation Area, and Pacific Wharf.

Paradise Pier
Visit Paradise Pier and discover an exciting land filled with boardwalk thrills and Disney and Pixar characters. Paradise Pier, located at the south end of the park, is a tribute to the beachside amusement parks of early 20th century California.

Pacific Wharf
Escape to Pacific Wharf, a waterside haven with diverse restaurant options, an open-aired dining area, refreshing California wines and sweet treats.Pacific Wharf includes dining locations such as Cocina Cucamonga Mexican Grill, Lucky Fortune Cookery, and Pacific Wharf Cafe. There is also the Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop, the first Ghirardelli location inside a Disney park. Attractions include The Bakery Tour, and the Walt Disney Imagineering Blue Sky Cellar.


A Bug's Land

Shrink down to the size of an insect and become an honorary bug at "a bug's land", a whimsical hideaway inspired by the Disney·Pixar movie A Bug's Life.A Bug's Land (usually typeset as "a bug's land") is based on the 1998 Disney/Pixar film, A Bug's Life. It opened in the fall of 2002 to provide more attractions for young children, integrating the former Bountiful Valley Farm area that opened with the park with the Flik's Fun Fair expansion area.

Cars Land

Cars Land is a 12-acre addition to Disney California Adventure and opened on June 15, 2012. Cars Land represents Route 66 and the California car culture, and is based on the 2006 Disney/Pixar film Cars. Cars Land includes three new attractions: Mater's Junkyard Jamboree, Luigi's Flying Tires, and Radiator Springs Racers. Luigi's Flying Tires is an updated version of the Flying Saucers, an attraction that operated in Tomorrowland at Disneyland from 1961 to 1966. Radiator Springs Racers, the centerpiece of the California Adventure expansion, is a massive E-ticket thrill ride similar to Epcot's Test Track technology.

Cape Town

CAPE TOWN

Cape Town  is a city in South Africa. It ranks third among the most populous urban areas in South Africa, after Johannesburg and Durban, and has roughly the same population as the Durban Metropolitan Area.It is also the provincial capital and primate city of the Western Cape. It is the southernmost city on the African continent.
Perched between the ocean and the mountain, with a national park as its heart, there is nowhere like Cape Town. Cape Town, the "Mother City", is the oldest city in South Africa and has a cultural heritage spanning more than 300 years.
The unique topography of the region makes it easy to orientate oneself as long as you remember that with Table Mountain behind you and Robben Island before you, you are facing north, looking across Table Bay and up the west coast of Africa.
It is in Cape Town that the Rainbow Nation really covers the spectrum. Between beautiful Cape Dutch homesteads, traditional dancers with painted faces performing in the streets, the smell of spicy Malay cooking and the taste of a well-made wine, this city will fill your senses.

CITY SOPHISTICATION. Cape Town is a cosmopolitan city with a rich heritage that's proudly on display. It might be more laid-back than Johannesburg, but it has shaken off its sleepy, parochial air and now bristles with world-class shops and restaurants and cutting-edge art and design.

TABLE MOUNTAIN. Fantastic Table Mountain towers over Cape Town and dominates the whole peninsula. Exploring the mountain is a must; you can either take the cable car to the top or hike up various routes. It’s not a particularly difficult climb, but having an athletic frame will help you pull and scramble up the odd steep bit, and there are easy routes, too.

MARKETS GALORE. Cape Town's markets are the best in the country—informal, creative, funky, and with a good selection of both tacky and splendid African curios. The Old Biscuit Mill is all about designer food, and the Oranjezicht City Farm Market is a community garden in the midst of established, well-to-do suburbs right below the mountain.

HISTORICAL HERITAGE. Cape Town is saturated with an extremely rich and fascinating history. At Robben Island you can stand in Nelson Mandela's old cell and learn about political and social banishment during apartheid, and the District Six Museum tells the poignant tale of the destruction of one of the country's most vibrant inner-city neighborhoods. The Castle of Good Hope—the first European building on the continent—is also a remarkable piece of history, with interiors of antique furniture and historic paintings.

CLIMATE--Cape Town has a Mediterranean-style climate: wet and cool winters, dry and warm summers. The annual average temperature in Cape Town is a delightful 17 degrees. Cape Town lies on the 34th latitude South, together with Casablanca, Los Angeles and Sydney.

TRANSPORT--With a number of available flights to Cape Town, visitors need not worry about how to reach Cape Town. The only international airport in the city is the Cape Town International Airport, the second largest airport in South Africa. It is a world class airport with flights operating to and from all major cities in the world. Located about 20 km away from the centre of the city, the airport provides great transport facilities to help passengers reach different parts of Cape Town. Tourists have the option to use buses, rented cars and taxis, all readily available at the airport.Find detailed information about how to reach Cape Town by Train, Bus, air, flight timing and schedule. Read reviews, details to know how to reach Cape Town & get information about Cape Town.All major cities in India like New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru and Kolkata offer regular flights to this South African destination. Many other Indian cities are also connected to the city of Cape Town.

Hanoi, Vietnam

Hanoi

Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam and the country's second largest city.The city lies on the right bank of the Red River. Hanoi is 1,760 km  north of Ho Chi Minh City and 120 km west of Hai Phong city.
Hanoi is the perfect foil for the seething mass of humanity that is Ho Chi Minh City. With a population of four million and a more genteel style than its southern counterpart, Hanoi is the cultural capital of Vietnam and its heart and soul.
A great place to explore on foot, there is a lot to see and do here. Vietnam's capital lies on the banks of the Red River, some 100 kilometres from its mouth. Human settlements here date back as far as the 3rd century BC.
On the edge of the city the road dissolves into a maze of winding, narrow, wooded lanes. You are surrounded by roadside artisans, shops and taverns, then by graceful villas and commuters on bicycles, cyclos and motorbikes. Modern buildings appear from nowhere, looking so out of place that you have to wonder if they were dropped from the sky and just left where they came to rest. While you tell yourself that nothing as preposterous as Hanoi can be so beautiful, you cannot help but be dazzled.

Tourism
Hanoi is a very picturesque city, the metropolis sometimes dubbed the Paris of the East. With its tree-fringed boulevards, more than two dozen lakes and thousands of French colonial-era buildings, Hanoi is a popular tourist attraction.And Hanoi is the most affordable international destination in TripAdvisor's annual TripIndex report. Created to help travelers plan and budget their summer holiday, the TripIndex looks at the average cost of a three-night trip in 60 key tourist cities around the world.Hanoi is very compact, and the city’s most interesting places for tourists are all relatively close to each other, which makes it easy to enjoy the best parts of the city on foot or by cyclo.

Sights in Hanoi
                                     Tran Quoc Pagoda

Located on a small penisula on the East side of West Lake, Tran Quoc Pagoda is regarded as the most ancient pagoda in Hanoi with its history line of more than 1,500 years. The architecture of this Buddhist center is a subtle combination between the solemn and beautiful landscape on the peaceful and quiet ambiance of West Lake’s surface. Thanks to these historical and architectural values, Tran Quoc Pagoda attracts many tourists to pay a visit, both inside and outside of Vietnam.Tran Quoc Pagoda used to be a favorite sightseeing place of many kings and lord of Vietnam, especially during festivals, full moon days or Tet. Up until now, the pagoda can still preserve its fame although the landscape has been affected by urbanization.With all the historical and architectural values it possesses, Tran Quoc Pagoda is not only worth visiting as a sacred sanctuary of Buddhism attracting countless Buddhist believers; but also an indispensible destination for cultural explorers to Vietnam.


                                         Hoan Kiem Lake

Hoan Kiem Lake (Turtle Lake) is a central feature of Hanoi and is a popular hangout spot throughout the day with locals and tourists.The lake itself is like a living thing with a personality that changes continuously with the hour and the season. Some of your most vivid memories of Hanoi might come from the 45 minute walks you take around Hoan Kiem at sunrise, at midday, and again after dark.During the day the lake belongs to tourists and to workers from surrounding government offices. Tour busses and taxis park at the North end of the lake, near the gates and foot bridge which lead to the Ngoc Son Pagoda.


                                    Ba Vi National Park
Ba Vi National Park is one of Vietnam’s most famous areas of outstanding natural beauty, and is centered around a three-peaked mountain jutting steeply out of the landscape. The national park offers a great escape from the city with cool fresh mountain air in a mystical atmospheric backdrop of clouds, jungle and tropical rainforest. There is also a spa resort nestled at the foot of the mountain offering a host of natural therapies in an absolutely stunning setting.


Climate
Hanoi has a humid tropical climate, characterised by monsoons, like most of northern Vietnam. Summers (between May and September) are very hot with plenty of rain and average temperatures between 76°F (24°C) and 91°F (33°C); while winters (from November to March) are cold and relatively dry, averaging between 57°F (14°C) and 72°F (22°C). During the transition months of April and October anything is possible, and spring often brings light rain. The hottest month of the year is June. January is the coolest month, usually beset with a cold northeasterly wind.

Tansport
Hanoi is served by Noi Bai International Airport, located in the Soc Son District, approximately 15 km north of Hanoi. The new international terminal, designed and built by Japanese contractors, opened in January 2015 and is a big facelift for Noibai International Airport.
Hanoi is also the origin or departure point for many Vietnam Railways train routes in the country. The Reunification Express runs from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City from Hanoi station (formerly Hang Co station), with stops at cities and provinces along the line. Trains also depart Hanoi frequently for Hai Phong and other northern cities.
The main means of transport within Hanoi city are motorbikes, buses, taxis, and a rising number of cars. In recent decades, motorbikes have overtaken bicycles as the main form of transportation.

Las Vegas

Las Vegas 

It's always hip to party on the Strip. It's the electric spine of a legendary town that lives on chills, thrills and a perennial buzz. The Las Vegas Strip is somehow everything you expect it to be, but still manages to surprise. Hop on and enjoy the ride.
The Strip is approximately 4.2 miles (6.8 km) in length, located immediately south of the Las Vegas city limits in the unincorporated towns of Paradise and Winchester. However, the Strip is often referred to as being "in Las Vegas". Most of the Strip has been designated an All-American Road,and is considered a scenic route at night.Many of the largest hotel, casino, and resort properties in the world are located on the Las Vegas Strip. One of the most visible aspects of Las Vegas' cityscape is its use of dramatic architecture.
The rapidly evolving skyline and constant modernization of hotels, casinos, restaurants, residential high-rises, and entertainment offerings on the Strip, have established it as one of the most popular destinations for tourists in the United States, and the world.
If you're looking for elegance on the Las Vegas Strip, the choices are vast, but the fountains outside your window at the Bellagio make this Strip resort a favorite of Vegas regulars. And the fountains are just the start. Inside the lobby, you'll check in under a Chihuly glass sculpture that defies imagination. Stroll through the botanical gardens while the bellhop delivers your luggage to your room. Then start your vacation with crepes at a spectacular three-story chocolate fountain.
The famous "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas" sign is located in the median just south of Russell Road, across from the now-demolished Klondike Hotel & Casino. Another similar sign is in the median at the north end of the Strip near the intersection of East St. Louis and South Main Streets. Newer resorts such as South Point and the M Resort are on Las Vegas Boulevard South as distant as 8 miles south of the "Welcome to Las Vegas" sign. Marketing for these casinos usually states that they are on southern Las Vegas Boulevard and not "Strip" properties.

With the opening of Bellagio, Venetian, and Wynn resorts, the strip trended towards the luxurious high end segment through most of the 2000s, while some older resorts added major expansions and renovations, including some de-theming of the earlier themed hotels. High end dining, specialty retail, spas and nightclubs increasingly became options for visitors in addition to gambling at most Strip resorts. There was also a trend towards expensive residential condo units on the strip.
Recently remodeled, the Tropicana is classic Vegas. The bright colors, spectacular scenery and electric vibe deliver a true Vegas experience. It's a must see for first-timers.
And, of course, no one does a theme like Las Vegas. The Venetian offers opulence throughout. While you'll never forget you're in Vegas, you'll enjoy the touches that bring a little bit of Italy to the Strip.
You cannot go wrong booking a room in Las Vegas. But when you stay on the most famous boulevard in the world, you might have trouble finding the time to sleep in it.

Climate
Las Vegas' climate is a subtropical, hot desert climate , typical of the Mojave Desert in which it lies. The city enjoys abundant sunshine year-round; it has an average of about 310 sunny days per year. It is virtually free of tornadoes and ice storms.

Transport
RTC Transit  provides bus service on the Strip with double decker buses known as The Deuce. The Deuce runs between Mandalay Bay at the southern end of the Strip (and to the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign and South Strip Transfer Terminal after midnight) to the Bonneville Transit Center (BTC) and the Fremont Street Experience in Downtown Las Vegas, with stops near every casino.
Taxis can only stop at hotel entrances or designated spots, so when planning to get somewhere, passengers inquire as to which hotel or taxi stand is closest to the intended destination.

Universal Studios Hollywood

Universal Studios Hollywood 

Universal Studios Hollywood is a film studio and theme park in the unincorporated Universal City community of the San Fernando Valley region of the city of Los Angeles, California, United States. It is one of the oldest and most famous Hollywood film studios still in use.It was initially created to offer tours of the real Universal Studios sets and is the first of many full-fledged Universal Studios Theme Parks located across the world. Woody Woodpecker is the mascot for Universal Studios Hollywood.
Opened in 1964 to allow the general public a look behind the scenes into the fascinating world of movie making, Universal Studios Hollywood was an immediate hit. After all, many tourists heading to Southern California on vacation were enamored with the idea of catching a glimpse of the glamorous world of the cinema and Universal allowed them to be a part of all the excitement, if only for an hour or two.Indeed, Universal Studios is the largest film and television producer in the world - with more than 9,000 employees overseeing the operations - so who would know more about the world of movies than this well-known company? Combine that knowledge of movies and the movie industry with high-action thrill rides and entertaining shows, and you have a theme park that's ranked among the top 10 in the United States.

From the beginning, Universal had offered tours of its studio. After Carl Laemmle opened Universal City on March 14, 1915, he would later invite the general public to see all the action for an admission fee of just $0.05, which also included a lunch box containing chicken inside.
Universal Studios Hollywood's back lot has been damaged by fire nine times throughout its history. The first was in 1932 when embers from a nearby brush fire were blown toward the back lot causing four movie sets to be destroyed and over $100,000 damage.
Universal Studios Hollywood is split into two areas on different levels, connected by a series of escalators called the Starway. These areas are known as the Upper lot and Lower lot. As of February 2016, Universal Studios Hollywood contains 9 rides, 7 shows, and a large outdoor play area . Each lot features a collection of rides, shows and attractions as well as food, beverage and merchandise shops.The Upper Lot is home to a variety of family based attractions. The theming of the Upper Lot includes a Mission Revival entrance pathway that ends at the new Universal Plaza opened in 2013.

There are not as much fully themed lands as there are small environments linked together with a common Art Deco theme that reflects the glamour of Old Hollywood.The Lower Lot is the smaller of the two lots. There are three thrill rides at this section of the park that each have height restrictions. It is home to Jurassic Park: The Ride, Revenge of the Mummy (where E.T. Adventure once stood) and most recently the home to Transformers: The Ride

Universal Studios is only ten minutes away from the attractions on Hollywood Boulevard. You can easily get there by car (Hollywood Freeway or Highland/Cahuenga), by bus (Metro Local 156), or by using the Metro Red Line train.

Attractions
1.Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem(3D motion simulator)
2.Waterworld: A Live Sea War Spectacular(stunt show)
3.Special Effects Stage(Live show)
4.Super Silly Funland(Play area)
5.Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey(3D Dark ride)
6.Ollivander’s Wand Shop(Interactive show and gift shop)
7.Jurassic Park: The Ride(Shoot the Chute)
8.Transformers: The Ride(3D dark ride)

Universal Studios has a number of meetable characters roaming the park grounds, representing many different genres. Some are portrayals of Hollywood icons while others are based on Universal's vast media library. The following is a list of characters that are either currently seen in the park or have appeared in the past.

Transport
Universal Studios Hollywood can easily be accessed by public transportation. The Metro Red line subway train runs between Union Station in Downtown Los Angeles, Westlake, Koreatown, Los Angeles, East Hollywood, and Hollywood.
Passengers can also arrive at the entrance of the theme park entrance by several Metro bus routes. Metro Local lines 150, 155, 224, 240, and Metro Rapid line 750 stop at Lankershim Blvd & Universal Center Drive (front entrance). Metro Local line 165 and Metro Shuttle line 656 Owl stop farther away from the entrance, at Ventura and Lankershim Boulevards. At the front entrance (Universal Center Dr. & Lankershim Blvd), there is a free shuttle tram which directly takes the passengers directly towards the theme park entrance.

Paris, France

Paris

Paris is the capital and most populous city of France.  The City of Paris has an area of 105 km²  and a population of 2,241,346  within its administrative borders essentially unchanged since 1860.The name "Paris" is derived from its early inhabitants, the Celtic Parisii tribe.Paris is often referred to as "The City of Light" both because of its leading role during the Age of Enlightenment, and more literally because Paris was one of the first European cities to adopt gas street lighting. In the 1860s, the boulevards and streets of Paris were illuminated by 56,000 gas lamps.PARIS is Europe's most fantastic city, a place that has everything for the traveller or visitor. Whether you visit Paris on a day trip, Paris in the Spring, Paris for a week or for far longer, this is a city that has it all! Museums, theatres, shops, fantastic historic monuments, a beautiful riverscape, Paris has all of these.  this website helps you plan your visit to Paris, and get the best out of your stay in the French capital.

Tourism
Greater Paris received 22,4 million visitors in 2014, making it one of the world's top tourist destinations. Everyone who visits Paris for the first time probably has the same punchlist of major attractions to hit: The Louvre, Notre Dame, The Eiffel Tower, etc. Just make sure you leave some time to wander the city’s grand boulevards and eat in as many cafes, bistros and brasseries as possible. And don’t forget the shopping—whether your tastes run to Louis Vuitton or Les Puces (the flea market), you can find it here

Sights in Paris
                                      Eiffel Tower

the Eiffel Tower is one of the world's most famous landmarks. The Eiffel Tower  is a wrought iron lattice tower on the Champ de Mars in Paris, France. It is named after the engineer Gustave Eiffel, whose company designed and built the tower.
The tower is 324 metres  tall, about the same height as an 81-storey building. Its base is square, 125 metres  on a side.One of the world’s most photographed tourist attractions, the Eiffel Tower presents an excellent photography opportunity for both day and night times. Visitors can ride the elevator to see incredible views of the city or dine in one of the two fine restaurants that are situated within the tower.

                                 Louvre Museum

Topping the list of the world’s most visited museums, the Louvre Museum is located in the Louvre Palace with its signature glass pyramid marking its entrance.Many of Western Civilization's most famous works are found here including the Mona Lisa by Leonardo DaVinci, the Wedding Feast at Cana by Veronese, and the 1st-century-BC Venus de Milo sculpture. The collection owes its wealth to the contributions of various kings who lived in the Louvre.The Louvre has an astounding collection of 30,000 artworks, including countless masterpieces. It's impossible to see it all in a day or even in a week. Focus on a shortlist of key artworks for the most rewarding experience.

                                  Place de la Concorde

At the east end of the Champs-Elysées is Place de la Concorde, the largest square in Paris with fantastic vistas in every direction. It was in this square that the French King Louis XVI, Marie Antoinette and many others were guillotined during the French revolution.The Place de la Concorde  is one of the major public squares in Paris, France. Measuring 8.64 hectares in area, it is the largest square in the French capital. It is located in the city's eighth arrondissement, at the eastern end of the Champs-Élysées.
Architect Jacques Ange Gabriel, started construction on behalf of Louis XV, in 1754, and was eventually completed in 1763. It was then named the Place Louis XV. The place was constructed in the form of octagon bordered by large moats, which have now long disappeared. At the north end, two magnificent identical stone buildings were constructed. Separated by the rue Royale, these remain among the best examples of architecture from that period.Erected At each corner of the octagonal square stands statues that each represent a French city.

                                           Musee d'Orsay

The Musée d'Orsay is a museum in Paris, France, on the left bank of the Seine. It is housed in the former Gare d'Orsay, a Beaux-Arts railway station built between 1898 and 1900. The museum holds mainly French art dating from 1848 to 1915, including paintings, sculptures, furniture, and photography.
The museum building was originally a railway station.The train station had been completely abandoned since 1961 when it was saved from demolition by the French president Pompidou. In 1978 his successor, president Giscard d'Estaing, decided to use the Gare Inside the Orsay Museum, Paris.
It would not only contain paintings, but it would also cover different art forms, including sculptures, engravings, photos, film, architecture and urbanism.
When it opened the museum contained some 2300 paintings, 1500 sculptures and 1000 other objects. Most of these works of art came from other museums such as the Musée du Luxembourg. Over time the collection has expanded significantly mainly due to acquisitions and gifts. It covers a period from the mid-nineteenth century up to 1914 and contains works from Degas, Rodin, Monet, Manet, Renoir, Cezanne, van Gogh and others.

                                   The Sainte-Chapelle

The Sainte-Chapelle  located within the Palais de Justice complex on the Ile de la Cité in the center of Paris, is a diminutive yet perfect example of the Rayonnant Style of Gothic architecture. It was erected by Louis IX, king of France.
The structure is 36 m long, 17 m  wide, and 42.5 m  high. Fronted by a two-story porch, the Sainte-Chapelle has the emphatically vertical proportions of Gothic architecture, which had been perfected during the 12th century. The architectural model is that of a building with a single nave, culminating in a chevet with seven panels. Outside, the design concentrates on the essentials – a sober base and heavy buttresses contrasting with the soaring lightness of the upper parts. The slate roof is dominated by the spire made of cedar, 33 meters (108 ft) high, a masterpiece of finesse, made in the 19th century, but an exact replica of the 15th century spire.

Climate
The climate of Paris is moderated and influence by the sea. The average temperature of Paris is about 11,5°C and in summer the average temperature raises until 20°C. Wind spreads fresh air over the inlands because of the nearness of the sea.

Transport
There are a total of three international airports in Paris, namely Charles de Gaulle International Airport (Roissy), Orly International Airport and Beauvais (Aéroport de Beauvais Tillé).
An added air transport facility in Paris is the airline shuttle service run by Air France, which includes shuttle flights between the airports.
Paris enjoys good bus transport service both within the city and also to and from other cities in France. Eurolines is one of the major bus operators in Paris, and there is also Megabus, a budget travel bus operator, which connects Paris with Brussels, United Kingdom and Amsterdam.
Paris enjoys excellent connectivity to all other parts of France and the rest of Europe by a network of railways.

Spain

Spain

Spain is a diverse country sharing the Iberian Peninsula with Portugal at the western end of the Mediterranean Sea. It is the country with the second-largest number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, after Italy, and the largest number of World Heritage Cities.Spain is considered an exotic country in Europe due to its friendly inhabitants, relaxed lifestyle, its cuisine, vibrant nightlife, and world-famous folklore and festivities.
With great beaches, fun nightlife, many cultural regions and historic cities, Spain makes a great destination for any kind of trip. A country of large geographic and cultural diversity, Spain is a surprise to those who only know its reputation for great beach holidays. There is everything from lush meadows and snowy mountains to huge marshes and deserts in the south east. While summer is the peak season because of the beaches, those who wish to avoid the crowds should consider visiting in the winter as attractions such as the Alhambra in Granada and La Gran Mezquita in Cordoba will not be overcrowded.

Tourism
While Spain's top tourist attractions are undoubtedly its beaches, beyond the beaches, Spain has litterally thousands of heritage tourist attractions, spread throughout the country. Some are well-known and much visited, others - off the beaten track - are largely ignored by tourists passing by.These are the most visited tourist cities in Spain: but they are just the icing on the cake. Some twenty Spanish cities contain or are themselves listed as UNESCO world heritage sites.

Sites in Spain
                                                      La Sagrada Familia

The Sagrada Familia is a large Roman Catholic church in Barcelona, and one of Spain’s most visited tourist attractions. It’s a design by Antoni Gaudí, a Catalan architect who worked on this project for almost 40 years until his death in 1926. The construction of the basilica began in 1882 and still as yet not finished.La Sagrada Familia is Gaudi’s masterpiece. Both ethereal and unique in design, La Sagrada looks like it has walked straight off the set of Games of Thrones. Because Gaudi died before it was completed, it is still a work in progress. And what a work in progress it is, both from the outside and in. Prepare to join the millions of annual visitors and to be seduced by what has now firmly claimed its place as one of the top ten sights in Spain.

                  The Alhambra and Generalife Gardens, Granada

Part fortress, part palace and part garden the Alhambra is situated on a plateau overlooking the city of Granada in southern Spain. The palace was constructed in the 14th century by the Nasrid sultans. The Alhambra is now one of Spain’s major tourist attractions and many visitors come to Granada just to see the Alhambra.the Alhambra is the pinnacle of Moorish art and one of the best architectural sights in the whole of Europe. Overlooking the pretty hillside city of Granada, it’s easy to spend a day exploring this remarkable monument to Spain’s Muslim past. Its sheer beauty is simply astounding and it’s no wonder it ranks as one of the most incredible visitor attractions in Spain.
The Alhambra was originally established in 1238 by the founder of the Nasrid Dynasty, Muhammad Ibn al Ahmar. The Alhambra complex includes several buildings, towers, walls, gardens, and a mosque, but it's the indescribably intricate stone carvings, the delicate filigrees, the magnificent tile-lined ceilings, the graceful arches, and serene courtyards of the Nasrid palace that will haunt your dreams.


                                Mezquita of Cordoba  

Once the principal mosque of western Islam and still known as the Mezquita, Cordoba's mosque is one of the largest in the world and the finest achievement of Moorish architecture in Spain.The Mezquita (Spanish for “Mosque”) of Cordoba is a fascinating building famous for the forest of pillars and arches inside the main hall. The site was originally a Roman temple, then a Visigothic church, before the Umayyad Moors built the Mezquita. After the Spanish Reconquista a cathedral was built into the center of the large Moorish building.Building materials from Roman and Visigothic buildings were used in the construction, which began in 785, and by 1000, it had grown to its present dimensions, its prayer hall with no fewer than nineteen aisles.


                                  San Fermin Festival

The festival of San Fermin, or the Running of the Bulls as it’s more commonly known outside Spain, officially begins at midday on 6th July every year with the ‘Chupinazo’ which takes place on the balcony of the Casa Consistorial in Pamplona. Thousands of people congregate in the square awaiting the mayor’s official announcement that the fiestas have begun, a rocket is launched and the partying begins.The Running of the Bulls (in Spanish: encierro, from the verb encerrar, "to corral, to enclose") is a practice that involves running in front of a small group of cattle, typically six, of the toro bravo breed that have been let loose on a course of a sectioned-off subset of a town's streets.
The Encierro is the event at the heart of the Sanfermines and makes the fiesta a spectacle that would be unimaginable in any other place in the world. It was born from need: getting the bulls from outside the city into the bullring. The encierro takes place from July 7th to 14th and starts at the corral in Calle Santo Domingo when the clock on the church of San Cernin strikes eight o"clock in the morning. After the launching of two rockets, the bulls charge behind the runners for 825 metres, the distance between the corral and the bullring. The run usually lasts between three and four minutes although it has sometimes taken over ten minutes, especially if one of the bulls has been isolated from his companions.

                                           La Concha

Protected from strong winds by steep cliffs and islands, La Concha in San Sebastian is said by many to be one of the best city beaches in Europe, let alone Spain. Here you can go surfing, walk along the promenade in search of good restaurants and enjoy the beautiful views of the beach.
La Concha Renaissance San Juan Resort is a luxury resort located at the Condado oceanfront within the district of Santurce in San Juan, Puerto Rico.The hotel was first opened in 1958 during the Tropical Modernism Movement. The building was designed by Osvaldo Toro and Miguel Ferrer.In the summer of 2010, the hotel opened a $100 million addition called The Suites Tower which features an atrium style building with one and two bedroom suites featuring panoramic balconies with ocean views, kitchens, architectural lighting, and high-tech amenities. The Suite Tower also offers the Ocean Lounge, which features an adults-only pool and a dedicated concierge.[1] The hotel's Casino del Mar is located on the street level of the new tower.

                                          El Escariol

El Escorial is the ultimate symbol of Spain’s former royal glory. Lying 50 kilometres outside Madrid, this UNESCO-listed sixteenth century royal complex was built under the orders of King Philip II of Spain between 1563 and 1567.
El Escorial was the political center of the Spanish empire under King Philip II. Philip appointed Juan Bautista de Toledo as the architect in 1559 and together they designed El Escorial as a monument to Spain’s role as a center of the Christian world. Today it functions as a monastery, royal palace, museum, and school.Along with the vaulted and frescoed ceilings by Tibaldi in the rooms off the lower cloister, highlights of the monastery are the Panteón de los Reyes (the Baroque burial vault of the Spanish kings) and the library, a grand room also decorated by Tibaldi frescoes. In the palace, be sure to see the Bourbon Suite, where the state apartments of Charles IV are decorated with rare furnishings and 338 tapestries.

                                           Cuenca

Cuenca is a city in the autonomous community of Castile–La Mancha in central Spain. It is the capital of the province of Cuenca.Situated between Madrid and Valencia, Cuenca is a marvelous example of a medieval city, built on the steep sides of a mountain. The many “hanging houses” are built right up to the cliff edge, making Cuenca one of the most striking towns in Spain, a gem in the province of Castilla La Mancha.

            Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias, Valencia

The City of Arts and Sciences (Valencian: Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències; Spanish: Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias) is an entertainment-based cultural and architectural complex in the city of Valencia, Spain. It is the most important modern tourist destination in the city of Valencia and one of the most relevant in Spain.
When Valencia diverted the course of the river that had repeatedly flooded the city, it was left with a broad, flat riverbed spanned by bridges. It was upon this clean palette that the brilliant Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava created a breathtaking ensemble of structures that have become a magnet for aficionados of contemporary architecture.

Climate
There are three different climate zones in Spain, due to its large size. Visitors can generally expect a Mediterranean climate, characterized by hot, dry summers and mild, rainy winters. The vast central plateau, or Meseta, has a more continental influenced climate with hot, dry summers and cold winters.
There are three different climate zones in Spain, due to its large size. Visitors can generally expect a Mediterranean climate, characterized by hot, dry summers and mild, rainy winters. The vast central plateau, or Meseta, has a more continental influenced climate with hot, dry summers and cold winters. Rain generally falls mostly in spring and autumn. The mountains surrounding the plateau have a higher rainfall and often experience heavy snowfalls in winter.

Transport
Spain has probably the best train network in Europe. It has a number of AVE high-speed train routes (secondly only to China in the world for high-speed rail connections) radiating out from Madrid, as well as some excellent scenic train journeys, particularly in the north of the country.
Madrid as well as Barcelona has a busy international airports, served by airlines from all over the world. Contact a travel agent for seasonal discounts and fares.
If you’re traveling from within the Union, you can get tickets for the Eurail to enter the country by land. Other international trains normally connect to Spain via France.

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires is the capital and largest city of Argentina, and the second-largest metropolitan area in South America.The name means fair winds, or literally good airs in Spanish. It is located on the western shore of the estuary of the Río de la Plata, on the continent's southeastern coast.
Buenos Aires is often called the “Paris of South America,” for its soaring architecture and rich European heritage. But the city and its people, known as porteños, are a study in contrasts:
The city extends on a plain covering 19.4 km from north to south and 17.9 km from east to west. Buenos Aires, which sprawls over 78 square miles (202 square kilometers) and has a population of about three million, is a patchwork of distinct, fascinating communities, from the frenetic downtown and working-class tanguero neighborhoods such as La Boca and San Telmo, to wealthy districts such as Recoleta and trendy Palermo, to middle-class barrios such as Belgrano and Caballito.

Tourism
Buenos Aires is a top tourist destination, and is known for its European-style architecture and rich cultural life. Buenos Aires constantly receives tourists from all over the world and offers a large choice of cultural events, nightlife, restaurants, and pubs. According to the World Travel & Tourism Council, tourism has been growing in the Argentine capital since 2002.
Visitors have many options such as going to a tango show, an estancia in the Province of Buenos Aires, or enjoying the traditional asado. New tourist circuits have recently evolved, devoted to famous Argentines such as Carlos Gardel, Eva Perón or Jorge Luis Borges.The city also plays host to musical festivals, some of the largest of which are Quilmes Rock, Creamfields BA, Ultra Music Festival (Buenos Aires) and the Buenos Aires Jazz Festival.

Sites in Buenos Aires
                                   Puerto Madero

A very good place to spend the day or spend the night. It has several very good hotels, very good restaurants, easy access to the area around the Pink House.This waterfront neighbourhood of Buenos Aires is the most modern part of the city. With towering glass skyscrapers, elegant restaurants and chic nightclubs, Puerto Madero is enjoyed by the wealthy and the trendy. It is a young neighbourhood that came out of the largest urbanization project in Buenos Aires’ history.
Sleek buildings line the Rio de la Plata waterfront at Puerto Madero, the largest urban development project in the capital. Puerto Madero served as the main port of Buenos Aires during the late 19th century, but larger cargo ships soon made it obsolete. The port fell into decay until 1989 when it was decided to turn the aging warehouses into something grander: buildings that could be used as residences, restaurants, shops and other businesses. To give the project a bit of flair, all streets in the district were named after women. Strolling through the Puerto Madero is a great way to spend a pleasant afternoon.




                            National Museum of Fine Arts

The Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes (National Museum of Fine Arts), located in the Recoleta district, earns high praise from visitors, some of whom have compared it to a mini-Louvre because of its outstanding collection of European and Argentine artists.This is Argentina’s most important national arts museum and contains many key works by Benito Quinquela Martín, Xul Solar, Edwardo Sívori and other Argentine artists of the 19th and 20th centuries.Everything is well displayed, and there’s also a cinema, concerts and classes.
The museum’s building is a former pump house for the city waterworks, and was designed by architect Julio Dormala.

                                       Plaza Dorrego

Travelers who are in Buenos Aires on a Sunday won’t want to miss the market at Plaza Dorrego, especially if they’re in the market for antiques and curios.After Plaza de Mayo, Plaza Dorrego is the city’s oldest plaza.
There’s still a wonderful old-time atmosphere here and cafe-restaurants that will definitely take you back in time – if you can ignore the nearby chain coffee shops.
Plaza Dorrego is the heart of San Telmo’s famous Sunday feria (street market). The present antiques market started in the early 1970s; visitors who can’t make the Sunday market might enjoy the plaza’s surrounding area, as San Telmo is the capital’s antique district. Tired shoppers can rest at an outdoor café and watch tango dancers perform or even take a few lessons themselves.


                                     Plaza de Mayo

the Plaza de Mayo has been a focal point of political life in Argentina. Several of the city’s major landmarks are located around the Plaza including the Cabildo; the city council during the colonial era. Located in the center of the Plaza de Mayo is The May Pyramid, the oldest national monument in Buenos Aires. Today the plaza attracts camera-toting tourists, the occasional camera thief, and frequent activists. And looming on the plaza’s northern side is the impressive Banco de la Nación (1939), the work of famed architect Alejandro Bustillo

Climate
Buenos Aires has a warm humid temperate climate with hot summers and no dry season.January is the hottest month in Buenos Aires with an average temperature of 25°C (76°F) and the coldest is July at 12°C (53°F) with the most daily sunshine hours at 9 in February. The wettest month is January with an average of 100mm of rain. The best month to swim in the sea is in January when the average sea temperature is 23°C (73°F).

Transport
Travellers thinking about how to reach Buenos Aires have a lot of options to reach here. They can reach here by road, air or sea. The city of Buenos Aires is easily accessible from all major cities in Argentina by an extensive road network; the rail network is still in the development stage. Tourists from neighbouring South American nations, wondering how to reach Buenos Aires, can come to the city availing cross border bus services or international boat services. There is a daily boat service connecting Buenos Aires to the two Uruguayan cities, Colonia and Montevideo. In fact, there is also a bimonthly freighter service, which connects the Argentinian capital to Europe. Tourists looking to travel to Buenos Aires can catch flights to the Ezeiza International Airport that links the city to other parts of the globe. Indian tourists thinking about how to reach Buenos Aires have the option to travel here by air. The flights to Buenos Aires are available from Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad and Pune.